Bites & Sips - Tasty news includes fried fish, pop-up paradise

Published: Monday, October 14, 2013 at 11:41 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 14, 2013 at 11:41 a.m.

These so-called "shoulder seasons" tend to see a lot of activity, and not always positive, as businesses adjust to the post-tourist financial reality that autumn brings. But despite the dour, slow-growth predictions that University of North Carolina Wilmington economist Woody Hall forecast last week, there seems to be more promising than negative news for area diners this week.

Mike's Seafood Kitchen

It's been a long time since Zora's closed on Castle Street, but for fish fans who miss having their seafood purchases cooked on the spot, a new Market Street location has revived the "you buy, we fry" concept.

Owner Feras "Mike" Abdelhamid opened Mike's Seafood Kitchen initially as a convenience store with a fish counter earlier this year at 3114 Market St. Customer demands for prepared fare led him to fire up both fryers and steamers in late August. Abdelhamid also owns Howard's Seafood and Convenience Store at 501 Castle St., which doesn't feature a kitchen, but sells a similar selection of fish.

The menu features a wide selection of both fin and shellfish, which range from $9-$13 for high-end items like oysters and scallops. Combination plates can be created for an up-charge; sides include fried okra, slaw and corn on the cob. Raw fish may be selected from the display case for preparation as well, with a $1.75 minimum cooking fee added per fish.

Tammi Anders, who manages the kitchen and helped build the menu, said demand has been strong, with the average day seeing 75 plates fly out of the kitchen. She said the most popular item has been the fried hard shell crabs, which retail for $2.25 apiece or $10 for a half dozen. Anders also indicated future plans for the spot, which may see seating added if customer support remains strong, though the business is strictly take-out for now. Kitchen hours are 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-9 p.m. Sunday.

Store regular Treshawna Grady could be spotted at the checkout recently with an armload of groceries, struggling to resist ordering the fried shrimp plate for a second consecutive day.

"They've got my two thumbs up," she said.

Port City Pop-Ups

This November will find Port City Pop-Ups delivering a different kind of dining experience when chef Jeffrey Porter unveils the new venture. Aimed at providing area cooks a chance to express themselves uninhibited by their full-time kitchens, Porter said he'll be manning the stoves for the venture's first outing, which will find diners treated to a fine, four-course meal during off-hours at The Dixie Grill.

Porter, who helms the kitchen at Bluewater Grill, said a rotating cadre of chefs and locations will provide participating cooks with a chance to find new fans while wowing a restaurant's existing customers.

"The whole point of it is local chefs, local ingredients and local venues," Porter said. "Hopefully, after this first one I'll be able to sit back and watch it roll."

Unlike a typical pop-up scenario in which a chef serves a fixed menu, Porter said he'll be providing diners a limited selection of plates to choose from. The debut showing will see appetizers like scallops on the half shell stuffed with Maine lobster followed by a choice of soup or salad. Entrees will feature a choice from Scottish salmon, a stuffed pork loin or filet over lump crab. The seasonality continues into dessert, where Porter will be presenting a pumpkin tiramisu.

An exact date for Port City Pop-Ups' debut isn't set in stone yet, but Porter said he's eying mid-November. He's been in talks with several of the area's top toques, and said future engagements would be announced as each commits to a time and date. Seating will be secured through a ticket-based system, which Porter said would be about $50, with each ticket also serving as a $10 discount coupon for the next event. Purchases can be made through PayPal via the Port City Pop-Ups website, PortCityPop-Ups.com.

Six Happiness

A major overhaul of the former Hong Kong Buffet will provide Leland-area diners with a fresh take on Asian cuisine when Six Happiness opens, possibly as soon as this month.

Owner You "Kay" Zhu, who also runs the nearby Chinese eatery Wok & Roll, said the new outfit will give her a chance to bring a wider variety of her favorite flavors to Brunswick County.

"We want to try something new," she said. "It's going to be sushi and hibachi and a little bit of Thai. I personally love sushi, so we'll have a lot of fresh salmon."

Zhu said her team has been working hard to expel any ghosts left behind by the former buffet-style eatery, with a significant remodeling that will see refreshed surfaces as well as new tables and booths. Expect a made-to-order experience with fresh, from-scratch recipes, and a refined bar featuring beer and wine options in the 4,000-square-foot space.

Six Happiness will be located at 1114 New Pointe Blvd., suite 160, in the shopping plaza anchored by the Walmart along U.S. 17. Hours will be 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays.

Mixto

Fans of Latin American fare find themselves with one fewer option this week following the apparent closing of Mixto at 5 S. Water St. Paper covered all of the windows Thursday afternoon, and a peek through one revealed booths covered with plastic. A sign on the front door read, "Mixto has closed for the winter. Please come back and see us in March."

The restaurant phone number reached a recorded message indicating the line is out of service. Calls to members of the ownership team, which include Harper Peterson, Justin Smith and Gil Johnson, went unanswered Thursday.

Mixto opened in 2010 with a creative variety of contemporary cuisine that draws heavily on the traditions of Mexico and other central and south American nations; it featured a lively bar and a festive environment in an historic waterfront location. Recent months, however, have seen significant turnover in the kitchen with chefs Trinity Hunt, John Burris, Chris Lubben and Fenix Nelson all spending time in the captain's seat since mid-2012.

Before Mixto, the location hosted Peterson's Water Street Restaurant, which experienced its own closure and reopening before shuttering for good in 2009.

Contact Paul Stephen at 343-2041 or Paul.Stephen@StarNewsOnline.com. Find him on Twitter @pauljstephen, or drop a note at the Port City Foodies' Facebook page.

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